Tom Rolfe

Tom Rolfe (1962–1989) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the leading colt of his generation in the United States, winning the Preakness Stakes and being voted American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse in 1965.

Tom Rolfe
Sire	Ribot
Grandsire	Tenerani
Dam	Pocahontas
Damsire	Roman
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1962
Country	United States
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Raymond R. Guest
Owner	Powhatan Stable
Trainer	Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr.
Record	31: 16-5-5
Earnings	$671,297
Major wins
Cowdin Stakes (1964) American Derby (1965) Arlington Classic (1965) Aqueduct Handicap (1966) Salvator Mile Handicap (1966) American Triple Crown wins: Preakness Stakes (1965)
Awards
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (1965)

Background

Tom Rolfe was one of the best American sons of the undefeated Italian champion Ribot. His dam was Pocahontas, from whom he takes his name (the historical Pocahontas's only child was named Thomas). His half-siblings include the talented racehorse and sire Chieftain (a son of Bold Ruler).

A small horse, Tom Rolfe stood 15.2 hands and weighed less than 1,000 pounds.

Racing career

Tom Rolfe won 16 of his 31 starts, with total earnings of $671,297. Ridden by future Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, he ran third to winner Lucky Debonair in the 1965 Kentucky Derby. In May he won the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, beating Dapper Dan by a neck, despite losing a shoe in the race and sustaining a minor injury.[1] In the Belmont Stakes in June he led in the straight but was caught close to the finish and beaten a neck by Hail To All.[2] He went on to record a notable hat-trick at Arlington Park, winning the Citation Handicap[3] in July, the Arlington Classic in August,[3] and the American Derby in September (breaking the track record).[4] His performances were enough to earn him American Champion 3-Year-Old Male Horse honors.

His sire, Ribot, won back-to-back runnings of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Tom Rolfe was shipped to Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France to contest the 1965 Arc. He disputed the lead until the closing stages and finished sixth on the grass course to Sea-Bird, but that result remains one of the best by an American-trained entry in that championship race.

Tom Rolfe stayed in training as a four-year-old in 1966. His wins included carrying 127 pounds to victory in the Aqueduct Handicap in September.[5]

Stud record

Retired to stud at Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky, Tom Rolfe proved a successful sire. He is largely known today as a sire of outstanding broodmares, but his best offspring on the track was 1970 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and 1987 leading broodmare sire Hoist The Flag. Tom Rolfe died in 1989 and was buried at Claiborne Farm's Marchmont cemetery.

Breeding

Pedigree of Tom Rolfe

Sire Ribot bay 1952	Tenerani brown 1944	Bellini	Cavaliere D'Arpino
			Bella Minna
		Tofanella	Apelle
			Try Try Again
	Romanella ch. 1943	El Greco	Pharos
			Gay Gamp
		Barbara Burrini	Papyrus
			Bucolic
Dam Pocahontas brown 1955	Roman bay 1937	Sir Gallahad	Teddy
			Plucky Liege
		Buckup	Buchan
			Look Up
	How bay 1948	Princequillo	Prince Rose
			Cosquilla
		The Squaw	Sickle
			Minnewaska

References

1. "The Free Lance-Star - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
2. "The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
3. "3-T0-10 FAVORITE MAKES LATE MOVE - Time of 1 - 34 4/5 Sets Mark for Classic -- Sum Up Is Third as Seven Start - Article - NYTimes.com". 29 August 1965.
4. "Tom Rolfe Sets Track Mark in Winning $128,100 American Derby - SHOEMAKER RIDES 2-TO-5 FAVORITE Tom Rolfe Is Clocked in 2 - 00 3/5 for 1 1/4 Miles -Royal Gunner Second - Article - NYTimes.com". 14 September 1965.
5. "Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search". google.com.

• Tom Rolfe's pedigree and stats